Fatigue after food poisoning: what to know

Vomiting and diarrhoea remove water and salts, while nausea and abdominal pain can make eating difficult. Fever and the immune response add to the body's workload. You may therefore feel weak even after the bowel symptoms start easing. Recovery can be slower when dehydration is significant, food cannot be kept down, or another illness is present. Fatigue by itself does not show how serious the infection is.

Take frequent small sips of water or oral rehydration solution, following the product directions. When nausea settles, choose small portions of easy-to-tolerate foods and gradually return to your usual diet. Rest, wash hands carefully, and avoid preparing food for others while you may still be infectious. A clinician may recommend oral rehydration therapy; IV fluid therapy may be considered when dehydration is severe or drinking is not possible.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, very little urine, severe weakness, blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician for persistent fever, worsening diarrhoea or vomiting, or fatigue that remains substantial after the digestive symptoms have settled.

Ask whether you need an examination for dehydration, stool testing, or treatment. Mention recent travel, other people who became ill, blood in stool, fever, medicines, and how much you can drink and urinate.